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The World Youth Skills Day (WYSD) designated by the United Nations is marked for the first time this year. Understanding the importance of presenting youth with the opportunity to acquire market relevant skills, IICD joins this plea to foster initiatives aimed at equipping the youth with the necessary skills. These skills can support them transitioning into jobs and facilitating new entrepreneurial opportunities across different economic sectors.

With mobile phones and coverage becoming more affordable and available in remote areas of Burkina Faso, thousands of youths having access to digital skills building programmes in Ghana, and with mothers and children of remote villages in Malawi benefiting from new ways to have access to crucial healthcare services, IICD's annual results demonstrate that ICTs have the potential to accelerate development and improve people’s lives across the board.

As part of IICD’s participation at the ICT4D 2015 Conference (CRS) in Chicago, US, which brought together experienced professionals from around the world to share methods for systematically integrating ICT innovations into development programmes, IICD’s Managing Director, Suzanne van der Velden discussed the topic of sustaining health innovations across Africa beyond donor-dependant approaches.

Microsoft Ghana in partnership with IICD have launched the ‘TizaaWorks’ online platform, which will be a national one-stop online hub for employability and entrepreneurship. With the World Bank reporting that 65% of Ghanaian youth are unemployed, the platform aims to equip young graduates and school-leavers with the right hard and soft skills to bridge the skills gap and secure first-time job opportunities, in addition to providing career guidance and resources for those wanting to build their own businesses.

"We believe ICT helps people take charge of their own development."

"We believe ICT helps people take charge of their own development."
"Access to the right information is a potent tool in the fight against poverty. Find out more about the transformative power of ICT."

This publication is informed by the findings from recent research that investigated the linkages between the introduction and the use of ICT in farming and the interest of youth in farming and value chain development.

Public health systems in many countries face structural problems that affect their efficiency. Results-Based Financing mechanisms can strengthen the health system and improve access to affordable, quality healthcare. IICD assists INGOs and ministries of health in developing and implementing ICT-based solutions that support Results-Based Financing mechanisms.